"I really like this person," we might say. "What they write makes a lot of sense."
The next time we read one of their posts, we're expecting it to be good - and so the chances are that we aren't disappointed.
And the same with the next one. And the one after that.
Before long, we've become uncritical - we've started to accept what they say without question. We've bought in to their ethos.
They can be slightly off the mark, and we don't notice. Soon we find ourselves believing everything they say.
What's wrong with this? Why is it dangerous?
What's wrong is that we have suspended disbelief and have stopped weighing-up for ourselves what they say. We have started to treat opinions as if they were facts. With our judgement impaired in this way, we can find ourselves making bad decisions. These bad decisions can cost us a lot of money.
How do we avoid allowing this to happen?
Ask yourself questions like this:
- Is this true? Is this an accurate statement of fact? Or is it just an opinion?
- Is this legal, decent, and in keeping with my understanding of the right way of behaving?
- What do I really believe for myself about this?
- What are this person's values? Are they the same as mine? What are the differences?
Sometimes we will be fortunate and the person will inadvertently let something slip out that gives the game away. Or perhaps someone else alerts us to something that isn't quite right. Either of these can be the spur to thinking critically for ourselves again.
To sum up, question everything - even what we (Qryztal) say. If you disagree with anything in this blog, please let us know in the comments space or email us (info@qryztal.com). And if you find something helpful, please tell us - and recommend us to your friends and colleagues.
some good points again, but it is better to be thick skinned and to be able to see through a situation and judge before you jump off into the Deep end. What i mean is that you wouldn't willingly jump into dark water at the deep end of a pool without thinking about it first otherwise it would be dangerous, no you would assess the situation first and so you must assess, think and what may seem to be a good deal may not always!
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